Did Vladimir Tarasenko deserve an invitation to the NHL All-Star Game?

Perhaps yes, but despite producing first-half numbers similar to those that have made Tarasenko a three-time all-star in his career, he may not have been as close as we think.

The lineups for the four divisional teams were announced Wednesday afternoon and the Blues had two first-timers on the Central Division roster — center Brayden Schenn and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.

The fans select the captains for each division, and last week the NHL announced that Nashville's P.K. Subban was chosen from the Central. That means the league's selection committee had to wedge players from six other teams in the division into 10 spots on the roster, making it difficult for three players to be taken from the same club. Only Tampa Bay, which will host the All-Star Game at Amalie Arena on Jan. 28, and Los Angeles will have three-plus participants this season.

If Jaden Schwartz...

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